Observing
fog, dew, frost and mist may seem unimportant for some people. However, knowledge
of these weather phenomenon can be useful and for some people crucial. For each
to form, there must be the appropriate conditions to achieve condensation, (and
sometimes sublimation in the case of frost).

Fog
and dew can be measured despite the fine size of the water droplets. The dew gauge is used to measure the light droplets through weight.

Fog

Fog
can be described as a cloud forming very close to or at ground level. It requires
air with sufficient moisture to cool or to be cooled to a temperature to achieve
condensation. Once condensation occurs, visibility decreases dramatically. It
therefore becomes very hazardous.

Fog
does not necessarily have to be uniform, or widespread. Some areas may have thick
fog whilst others may miss out completely. Fog
is more common in valleys and near creeks or streams. It also most commonly occurs
overnight and during the morning. However, in colder climates where fog is more
common, it may last all day.

From
a distance, fog is observed to be similar to a cloud on the ground especially
when it is thick. If
the air is sufficiently warmed by the sun to raise the temperature above the temperature
level needed for condensation or if wind begins to blow, the fog will begin to
break into patches. It may rise to higher level in the form of fast moving low
clouds and eventually clear.

Mist

Mist
is similar to fog except it may appear more ragged and forms on rainy days with
the air saturated due to the amount of moisture. Mist is more common in mountainous
and forest regions.

Dew

Dew
is moisture that condenses at the ground level. The layer of air within about
a metre above the ground experiences rapid changes in temperature from day to
night. Therefore the temperature may be cooler on the ground than the air above.
Consequently, the air temperature close to the ground may cool to below the level
needed for condensation. Moisture therefore is observed on grass and on the surface
of some objects such as those with metal surfaces. If the air above also cools
below the condensation level, fog will form.

Frost

Frost is observed as ice crystals mostly on grass. It basically forms when dew
freezes because the air temperature falls below the level necessary for freezing
(from liquid to solid form of moisture). However,
frost may also form under the process of sublimation when water vapour is cooled
so rapidly it forms ice (from gas to solid form of moisture).

Factors affecting formation of fog, mist, frost and dew

Dew, fog and frost typically form under conditions
of light winds unless conditions are extremely cold. Wind causes turbulence and
hence mixes air above the surface to air at the surface. It is therefore common
for areas with little or no sloping to receive more frost and fog than adjacent
areas with steep slopes. Air at night usually moves much slower than during the
day. However, areas with steep slopes normally have wind flowing down hill on
what should be a calm night elsewhere. This air movement may be sufficient to
prevent frost and fog forming. Finally,
buildings, trees and other objects can reduce the amount of fog, frost and dew
observed. Such objects are at a temperature higher than the surroundings because
they cool more slowly. Water, also has this property and therefore areas near
oceans, rivers and lakes receive less frost than adjacent regions. However, because
of the amount of moisture available, fog can still occur again depending on the
typical temperatures.